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December 25, 2010

The Real St. Nick: A Trust-Fund Baby with Heart and Class.

The Bishop of Myra--Santa Claus to most of the world--lived perhaps 270-343 AD in what is now the Lycian region of Turkey. One legend has it that Nicholas was a Byzantine trust-fund baby, an orphan with lots of spare cash. And one with a huge yen for secret, anonymous gift-giving. Which, of course, is the best kind.

At WAC/P? we believe that the life of St. Nicholas was a major inspiration for Magnificent Obsession, the acclaimed 1929 novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, which twice was made into a movie. One theme of the book is the importance of giving, and acts of kindness, without wanting or expecting any type of private or public recognition.

Old Saint Nick. If he gave you gave something, he just didn't want you to make a fuss--at least not about him. He wouldn't let you. Believe it or not, there's a special website for him: The Saint Nicholas Center.

Merry Christmas--and our best wishes for whatever celebrations or rites you find time for today--from the mixed bag of humanity that is WAC/P?

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Posted by Holden Oliver (Kitzbühel Desk) at December 25, 2010 12:31 PM

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